Resonance: Short Films to Premiere on Sky Arts

The first short film, Finding 15, is the latest offering from the artistic collaboration between poet, artist and filmmaker JulianKnxx and soul musician and composer THABO, as narration, movement, music and cinematography combine in a powerful and symbolic evocation of Bantutronic philosophy.

Both an artistic collective and a practice, Bantutronic is the name given by JulianKnxx and THABO to the connection of the stories and languages of the Bantu and wider African diaspora with contemporary sounds and voices. Their work explores Bantu culture 500 years into the past, and imagines it 500 years into the future.

As the film moves the viewer into a visionary, almost hallucinogenic world, THABO’s opening narration states “It is well known, among the Bantutronic, that the pursuit of a dream is an exhilarating and terrifying endeavour.”

The sole animation among the three shorts, Aya Eban follows a lead character who is stuck in a mundane and hectic city without peace. But as their ancestors call, they discover a power hidden within that helps them break free.

Aya Eban features story, sound design and original music by multi-disciplinary artist NikNak, whose creative work ranges from DJ, turntablist and producer to composer, sound artist and podcaster. She developed the film in collaboration with storyboard and character design by Randy Duburke and animation by Peta-gaye Brown.

Describing the process of composing the music for the film, “I wanted to create two pieces that were different from each other but still helped to tell the story taking place” says NikNak. “The black and white piece is more electronic and symbolizes the repetitive nature of everyday life and its monotony, while the more orchestral piece that takes place later on is more cheerful, whimsical, and builds as more colours are introduced.”

The final film, Somewhere, is a collaboration between British-Nigerian composer and musician Nwando Ebizie, director Juliet Ellis and choreographer Harriet Waghorn, produced by Disruptive Element Films and ENON Films and starring dancer Jahmiah Simpson.

“Somewhere is a response to the relationship between the creative and the spiritual, visualising a dancer moving between the waking world and the dream world” explains director Juliet Ellis. “Her body explores its relationship to freedom and limitation – as her physicality is being pulled and pushed, her fragility, vulnerability and fierce strength are attempting to coexist.”